Abstract

Chemical analyses on edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinoidea) gonads legally (L) and illegally (I) sold in Sardinia (Italy) were carried out during the fishing season 2008-2009. Statistical tests performed on moisture, ash, crude protein, lipid and carbohydrate content detected significant differences between L and I samples, but also among roe illicitly commercialised (I) by
ambulant vendors in different Sardinian coastal districts.